par

Multiple Entries:
  par    par-    par.    para-  

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
par/pɑː(r)/

▶noun

• 1 Golf the number of strokes a first-class player should normally require for a particular hole or course.

  ■ a score of this number of strokes at a hole.

• 2 (usu. in phr. above or below or under par, or on a par with) the usual or expected level or amount.

• 3 Stock Exchange the face value of a share or other security, as distinct from its market value.

  ■ (also par of exchange) the recognized value of one country's currency in terms of another's.

▶verb (pars, parring, parred) Golf play (a hole) in par.

– phrases
par for the course what is normal or expected in any given circumstances.

– origin C16 (in the sense ‘equality of value or standing’): from L., ‘equal’, also ‘equality’.

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
par-/pər/

▶combining form variant spelling of para-1 shortened before a vowel or h (as in paraldehyde, parody, parhelion).

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
par. (also para.)

▶abbreviation paragraph.

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
para-1 (also par-)

▶prefix

• 1 beside; adjacent to: parathyroid.

• 2 beyond or distinct from, but analogous to: paramilitary.

• 3 Chemistry denoting substitution at diametrically opposite carbon atoms in a benzene ring: paradichlorobenzene. Compare with meta- and ortho-.

– origin from Gk para ‘beside, beyond’.

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
para-2

▶combining form denoting something that protects or wards off: parachute.

– origin from Fr., from the Ital. imper. sing. of parare ‘defend, shield’.